AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It's part one of the REALLY DRAMATIC stuff! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! Still, it's actually kinda funny – I think you guys hate me more and more for every chapter! Lol. This one probably has the worst cliffhanger, though – at least, I think so, anyways.

I'm glad that you're all enjoying the story, though! That's why I've decided something: I want to hear from you ALL (if you don't mind, that is) what you like most about this story. : ) Give me "YOUR" personal thoughts. (For instance, about characters, plot, depth, drama, romance, etc. Was if fun? Was it too chessy? Does it stand out? How do you like how I betrayed certain characters? Anything really! Just let me know!)

Anyways, read and review, please! : )

Recap

Masaya summoned his coal-black, extensive blade. "...As much as I'd LOVE to test out that statement...I'm afraid I don't have time." As he tuned to Kish, his eyes brightened. "...I have a Prince to kill."

Swiftly, the group moved to shield Kish. As Masaya continued to slowly advance, he went on. "Too long has Hell held me and not received proper satisfaction. So believe this, Kisshu – for your countless sins and the crimes of our father, Hell holds an empty slot waiting for you this VERY minute!"

A husky, cool voice intervened. "You want to bet?"

At once, the entire party looked up. On the remains of a burning tower, stood a tall figure. In his grasp, he detained Mimi. However, it was the specific detail that surprised everyone the most. Fagan directed his rigid blade at her neck.

Chapter 26: A Bitter Change: Part 1

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Kish felt sickened to his soul. What the hell was Fagan doing? Uneasily, he locked his widened eyes on the helpless girl. Even from a distance, he could see the terror reflected in her expression. Kish took a step forward and watched in silence. What should he do? Fagan wouldn't ever really hurt her – not after their talk – not after their breakthrough. He TRUSTED him now. Even so, he hated seeing his sister involved. She was utterly horrified. Why would Fagan pretend to threaten Mimi? She was of no value to Belgemine.

...Or was she?

Despite her own surprise, Ichigo cast Kish a reassuring glance. Like Kish, Ichigo was also certain Fagan wouldn't harm the girl. However, only she and Fagan knew the secondary concept to this threat – Mimi was Belgemine's granddaughter.

As for Pai and Tart, they were left bewildered by the fugitive's entrance. Retrieving his weapon, Tart quickly turned to Kish. "Wh-what are you doing? Why are you just standing-"

Realizing something, Pai spoke up and pointed. "Kisshu – look!" Following his finger, the group noticed a body next to Fagan.

It was Malo - he was dead.

Kish gasped. In order to retrive Mimi, Fagan had killed him. But where was Belgemine...?

Fagan's clear, toned voice rang out. "A bit baffled?" A keen gleam shimmered in his dark eyes. He eyed the group. "Undoubtedly, I know I appear like a disorderly puzzle...but don't fret. Examine the facts... This girl is Kisshu's sister. If I've sworn my allegiance to HIM, I wouldn't be standing up here now, would I? Think carefully. Why would I KILL the innocent relation of the boy I've sworn to protect?" His gaze focused on the elderly woman who had come up behind Masaya. Confused, Belgemine narrowed her eyes. What was he getting at? She was quite curious now. "...In fact," Fagan said, continuing. "What baffles MY mind is you chose to threaten this child, too." His eyes flashed at Belgemine. "...I thought you would have had more compassion toward this girl..." He shifted the blade closer at Mimi's dainty, thin neck. Anxiously, Kish wiggled in his station. As Fagan continued, Belgemine stared with a peculiar expression. "Your motives for seeking revenge are far less gallant than that of Malo's. At least HIS love-one was actually deceased..."

Belgemine wailed a scream.

This girl, Mimi, was her granddaughter. She was alive. The horror repelled her. Yet again, she screamed a sickened cry and collapsed to her old knees. Ichigo turned to watch. It made her ill to see the woman's old age suddenly seize her. It was as if her obsession with revenge had ate her morality – now it had returned.

Belgemine's face grew white. As the tears rushed down her boney cheeks, she outstretched her arms and sobbed. "MIMI! MIMI!"

Disgusted by the intervention, Masaya's roared at the weakened grandmother. "Belgemine! What the hell is WRONG with you?" Similar to Masaya, Kish was also utterly bewildered. Why was she screaming?

As she choked through sobs, Belgemine rasped an exasperated, loud howl. "That's MY girl! She's mine! MIMI! Mimi! Let her go! She's MY granddaughter! Let her come! I BEG you, PLEASE let her come to me!"

Motionless and naive, Mimi gaped at the woman below. Her young mind was beyond bemused. Was what this woman claimed really true? She hadn't any memory of her real family. As far she knew, they were all dead. Now more than ever, Mimi looked excessively frightened.

Yet again, Fagan spoke up. "You want your granddaughter back?" To a slight extent, he moved the knife from her neck. "Leave Kisshu be and I will cease my violence toward this child!"

Before Belgemine could reply, Masaya interrupted with a grin. Clearly, he called out over the roaring and crackles of aggressive flames. "A little girl's life won't stop me. She'd of no value to me, Fagan!"

Savagely, Belgemine whirled around and scowled at the resurrected being. Her face was hot and red from the fire's heat and her teary breakdown. "You DARE no turn against me! Simply because Malo is dead, you would betray my orders?" The sick woman hissed. From her appearance, she looked as if she'd lose her mind any minute. "My granddaughter is ALIVE! Mimi is ALIVE! I have no reason to hesitate! Now do as I say and cease your threats and attacks!"

Taking a step closer to the ill woman, Masaya grimaced. "...No." Masaya glanced at Kish, thus, making Ichigo push him back further. "You've forgotten something valuable, haven't you, Belgemine? You may have your granddaughter back but what of your daughter? Have you suddenly no desire to avenge her?"

Belgemine's voice choked a rough, dry rasp. "NEVER! NO!"

Amused, Masaya laughed as raised and directed his blades toward Kish. "It doesn't matter. I'm no longer your strung-puppet – I'm a living, breathing being with my own motives now!" As he turned entirely from the woman, he approached the intense, backing group. Masaya's bright eyes grew clearer in the arches and walls of violent flames. "...I have my brother to avenge, Kisshu, and WE have incomplete affairs. I won't let Belgemine's damned offspring restrain me – I have too much to accomplish today." As he continued to slowly glide forward, his sinister means grew darker. From behind, Belgemine watched in horror.

If Masaya attacked, her daughter would die. She wouldn't allow that.

With sweaty hands, Masaya clasped his weapons tighter. "Take your pick on the matter, Kisshu – you and I have countless. Which tragedy should I lead with? ...And which tragedy should I END you with...?"

Glancing behind her, Ichigo noticed the ill expression in Kish's face. He looked ready to fight. Instantly, her heart throbbed. This was it. At this instant, her motives grew extensively vast. She MUST be willing to sacrifice almost anything for Kisshu if she had to. It didn't matter what anyone else did or said. It was this moment Fagan had spoke of when he'd made her swear her allegiance. This was life or death.

As Ichigo scowled, Masaya grimaced. "Enough time wasted!" He said. "Hell's Usher has come to greet you!"

Masaya was far faster than Ichigo had remembered. At a remarkable speed, he leapt in the air, rose his extensive blade and dived quicker than gravity. In response, Ichigo moved to choke the afflicted damage before it could touch Kish. She succeeded, and with the impact on their weapons, sent Masaya back.

Easily, he landed the hit. Nevertheless, Masaya didn't leave an instant unoccupied. His feet only tipped the floor before he came gliding forth yet again. Grunting, Ichigo prepared herself for a heavy blow. From his speedy, soaring stance, Ichigo guessed the imminent attack relied on agility not power. His flowing, black hair worked as a mighty sail. Ichigo tightened her position. As she raised her weapon, she prepared to evade the hit last minute.

Kish watched in quick alarm. "Ichigo!" He screamed with wide eyes.

Ichigo had been tricked.

Just before he reached her, Masaya abruptly turned his course toward Kisshu. Due to the attack's sudden redirection, Ichigo was left baffled and lightheaded.

Kish had only a second to lift his blades before Masaya came clashing into him. Their swords met in an impact and left a high-pitched ring in Ichigo's ears. She gasped. Both Masaya and Kish bore maddened, savage looks as they forced pressure on the blades. Kish hissed through his teeth. The anger only enthralled Masaya further.

Growling, he sent Kisshu flying backwards with force. Nevertheless, his chance for a second, quick hit was demolished when Pai attacked. Smoothly, he eluded the blow and took advantage of the open space above Pai.

Tart was too fast, though. As a human barricade, he filled the gap with quick confidence. Before Masaya could attack him, Ichigo jumped to meet Masaya in a lock. This time, however, Masaya predicted the barricade and extended his blade in a piercing lunge. Ichigo was surprised. Clumsily, she endeavored to correct her error and elude the imminent weapon. Regrettably, the poor, over-correction resulted in fierce pain.

Ichigo let out a cry as the blade's tip dug an incision up her arm. Grunting, she made a backwards-jump landing. At least that granted her a second's peace.

Kish screamed out to her. "Ichigo!" Immediately, he summoned his blades and rocketed through the smokey, hot air. Masaya blocked his path. Yet again, the two met in a lock. Tart's broke it with a brutal attack. Pai swung a flaming blow that Masaya scarcely avoided. He had been distracted by his third charge.

As Masaya back-flipped over the wave of flames, he dispatched a secondary attack. The strike collided with the ground and delved a blue ridge, carrying massive energies along the way. With his impeccable agility, Kish eluded the shimmering wave just as it exploded.

The entire surface trembled from the destructive blow. When this effected Kish's landing, Masaya took advantage of it.

Like a rocket, he launched into a stride. Pai was too swift, though. Protectively, he shoved Kisshu out of the way. Nevertheless, Masaya din's relent. Instead, he purposely collided into the building.

The entire structure exploded into destructive flames. Glass shattered and as giant shards of metal and wood went flying into the dark, steamy air. Kish heard civilians scream from horror. Due to the building's failure, neighboring structures and homes began to collapse around them. Gasping, the teenager looked up.

From an excessively high tower, the peek split from its body and began to rapidly descend. Tart leapt out of the way just in time. With a horrendous crash, it dove into the ground and exploded. Again, Kish lost his balance and was about to fall when Pai grasped his arm.

Angered and confused, Kish cast Pai a heated glare. "I don't NEED you all to keep saving me! I can take care of my-"

"KISSHU!" Ichigo shrieked.

Jumping in the way, she just scarcely manged to deflect Masaya's thrust. That time, it had been too close for comfort – he had almost run Kisshu through. With widened eyes, he gawked at the girl in front of him. Her arms trembled from the intense pressure of Masaya's overpowering strength. "I-Ichigo!" He gasped. "Wh-what are y-"

Grunting, she forcefully interrupted. "I'm saving YOU for once! I'm sick and tired of it being the other way around!"

Suddenly, Masaya withdrew the pressure and geared a level attack.

In Ichigo's stead, someone took the blow.

Belgemine collapsed to the floor with a bloody gash in her old side. Crying, she gripped the wound and endeavored to crawl to safety. Masaya didn't let her. "I warned you Belgemine – I WILL kill KISSHU! No little girl's life is going to STOP me!" He rose swung his sword to pierce her.

He didn't succeed.

An atrocious bomb dived from the sky and struck directly behind Masaya. A horrendous explosion followed, sending Masaya and the woman flying forward. Painfully, they somersaulted in the rough, burning dirt, nearly hitting a wall of fire.

Masaya grunted in dazed surprise. Then he attempted to get up. His face was covered in dirt and bruises and he bore multiple wounds. As he narrowed his clouded vision, Masaya used his blade to prop himself up.

When he glanced at Belgemine, he noticed her body was still. The impact might have killed her. But what had hit them? Whirling around, his gaze lifted to the dark heavens, clouded in black fog.

Massive airships filled the skies.

It was Kova - he had located them and was now prepared to engage in battle. Shouting, soldiers fiercely broke through the fires and parachuted from the planes above. The entire city was overwhelmed in flames and the remaining buildings were hazardously unstable.

In order to employ this advantage, Masaya knew swift action was critical.

As a second bomb descended, Masaya propelled himself into the air at a mighty speed. The man whizzed about the thick atmosphere, evading bullets and missiles. He swung blows at every building in sight. All around him, the structures collapsed.

Ichigo didn't waste a minute. "Pai!" She screamed. As she jumped into the air, she called over her shoulder. "Get Lettuce and Pudding to safety NOW! Masaya's gonna blow this place to smithereens!" Using the falling wreckage as lancers, she disappeared into the thicker, higher smoke. She was going after Masaya.

In horror, Kish watched as Ichigo vanished. "Ichigo!" He shouted, harshly. "Don't! Come back-"

Masaya plunged from a cloud and jarred his steel against Kisshu's. As the aggravating friction increased, Kish stepped back to strength his stance. "Finally!" Masaya grinned through a hot breath. "Just you and me! I understand you've been waiting for it, too!"

Kisshu grimaced and fought the force of Masaya's upper-body. It was brutal and unbreakable. Every time they locked, he didn't have the physical might to push him off. Growling, he hissed back. "Funny thing, huh? I thought we hadn't fought because YOU were to scared!"

In unison, the two drove back only to lunge forward yet again and reattempt a lock. This time, however, Masaya managed to break through and slash Kisshu. Despite the wound's small size, it was nonetheless painful. Stumbling back, Kish wiped the blood from his cheek slice.

The pitched bullets and missiles only increased the action.

With each passing second, it grew more difficult to breathe the air. Panting, Kish gripped his dragon swords and rocketed forward.

With force, he struck Masaya, pushed him back, avoided a counter and lunged again. The movements were swift and graceful. Neither one left a moment for mercy.

Masaya pitched Kish into the air and rose to meet him in a blow. Skillfully, the teen deflected the attack, kicked him and formed a smooth landing. Looking up, he gasped.

A long flare of thick blackness gushed past Masaya while airborne. It seemed to outsmart speed and time due to its ability to jump and counter. Kish was utterly amazed. He hadn't ever seen anything like it. What was it? Like a serpent, it cycled Masaya, bounced off a burning building, returned, leapt free and then vanished.

Bemused and shaken, Masaya made a clumsy landing. Glancing back at Kisshu, his glare deepened. Did Masaya know what that thing was? Did he think Kisshu knew? As quickly as it had come, it had gone, thus, Masaya returned to battle.

What had that thing been?

...

Roughly, Fagan called through the smoke. "Ichigo!"

Quickly, she whirled around to spot him in the distance. Her eyes widened. The tall mad looked especially sinister with the roaring flames behind him. He was alone.

Immediately, she ran to him and cried, desperately. "Where's Mimi, Fagan? Where is she?"

Fagan filled the void between them and spoke abruptly. "She's safe - I surrendered her to Kova's men."

Wildly, Ichigo's temper flared. "But it's NOT safe! What if they don't make it out? This city is nearly done fo-"

"Get down!" Suddenly, he knocked her off her feet and forced her down as a flock of missiles whizzed over their heads. Their high-pitched wailing dizzied Ichigo. As they exploded into swarms of flames, Ichigo released a startled shriek. Dirt, wood and other unidentifiable objects went flying onto the air. A few showered onto the crouched pair.

Ichigo was alarmed by the attack, as well as baffled. "Why is Kova shooting us?" She screamed. "We're on HIS side!"

Kova got up and helped Ichigo stand. His flowing hair had fallen from its containment and his face was covered in dirt. "The damn fools don't know the difference. If they see movement, they'll shoot. They're only trying to defend their city..." As his tone faded out, he narrowed his eyes. "...Where are your friends?"

Ichigo brushed the dirty sweat from her hot brow. "Pai and Tart took them!" In order for him to hear her, she had to shout. The constant explosions, gunfires and collapsing wreckage made it difficult to focus. Anxiously, she looked around. "Where's Kisshu? I haven't seen him-"

Ichigo heard Kisshu shout – it was a painful shout, too. Gasping, she noticed them. In the distance, he and Masaya's figure danced a brutal battle. Both were injured but Kisshu was the one losing.

Instantly, Fagan's dark eyes expanded. "Quick – we have to-"

An abrupt uproar of panicked screams caught the pair's attention. Quickly, they adjusted their gaze to the city's core to find chaos – a peculiar chaos.

The previous, living darkness that had attacked Masaya washed through a building. Distinctly, the tower split and self destructed. Ichigo gasped.

"What is that THING?" She shouted. Its appearance consisted of three features: big, black and presently shapeless. Whatever it was, it was certainly living. Its agility and skills exhibited life. But what was it and why was it attacking? Quickly, she turned to Fagan. "Fagan - I don't understand! What is that thing? It's HUGE!

Grimly, Fagan narrowed his eyes. He'd know that distinctive dark being anywhere.

His heart ached with worry as he thoughts whispered to the creature. "...I may need you yet..."

Casting Ichigo a glance, he said aloud. "Come! Kisshu needs our help!" His gaze returned to the two battling shapes. "We have our oaths – so let us accomplish them!"

Ichigo's curiosity was instantly obliterated. Fagan was correct. As she clasped her weapon with determination, Ichigo nodded. "...Right!"

At length, Kisshu brutally shot Masaya back in a wave of strength. Shouting, his body slammed against the wall. When Kish heard the impact, he knew Masaya had received maximum, internal injuries. His gut winced as his attacker fell to the ground in a crash.

Kish stumbled back. He did it. Relived, he dropped his blades and tried to catch his breath. He was exhausted. His face was drenched in sweaty dirt. Coughing, he looked around. Where was-

"KISSHU!"

Hearing her sweet voice, Kish spun around to see her not only safe but accompanied.

Ichigo and Fagan came running to meet him. His face lit up. "Ichigo!" The two ran and embraced one another. "You're alright..." He breathed while nuzzling her neck. "I was so worried." Ichigo blushed at the great ease in his tone. Pulling back, she gripped his arms and let him examine her.

While the fringes of her pink costume were singed, her arms, shoulders and face remained covered in soot. Her tail and cat-ears were drooped from worry and the delicious look in her bright eyes made him smile. Yet again, Ichigo blushed. "...I'm glad you're okay, too..." Her voice filled with baffled peculiarity. Was this really it? Was it all really over now? Kish moved in to kiss her but Ichigo stopped him.

"...What's wrong?" He asked.

Suddenly, her head grew fuzzy. Her stomach turned as her soul knotted. Something felt bitterly wrong. Inside, her core capacity to love was shaken. It was trying to prepare her. Something was going to happen – something that would break and change her forever.

Concerned, Kish stared at the sickened girl. "Ichigo, are you alright?" To a slight extent, his voice rose. "Ichigo! ICHIGO!"

Fagan made a surprised observation. Redrawing his left hand sword, he shouted to the Prince in alarm and distress. "KISSHU! Where's Masaya?"

Confused, Kish turned from Ichigo. What? Momentarily, he stepped away from the girl. Then he, too, noticed it.

Masaya was gone – he had vanished.

Kish felt ill. With widened, apprehensively eyes, he scanned the floors. Fagan had begun to move only not quickly enough. Abruptly, Kish started a turn back to Ichigo.

Tragically, it was too late.

Masaya crashed downward, driving his shrill sword through Kisshu's back.

...Told you all that you would hate it...